How to read EKG printouts

Written by jeremy heck

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An EKG, also known as an electrocardiogram (ECG), generates a graphic representation of the cardiac cycle. An EKG measures the contraction and relaxation of the heart's activity. Electrodes, which are placed on the body's surface, pick up the heart's activity and carry the heart's impulse to a continuous running graph. Interpreting an EKG's cardiac activity should be left to medical professionals. However, with the correct instruction, anyone can read and interpret an EKG printout.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

EKG printout

Pencil/pen

Calculator

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Instructions

1

Obtain EKG graphic printout.

2

Inspect EKG printout. EKG results are plotted on graph paper. The graph is designed with 5mm squares in bold, and 1mm squares that are situated within the 5mm squares. On the horizontal axis, each 5mm square represents 0.2 second. The 1mm squares represents 0.04 second. An EKG result that is not plotted on graph paper cannot be read properly.

3

Determine the points that spike above, or below the horizontal waveform on the EKG. Normal heart activity will show 5 points that spike above, or below the horizontal plane. The points of each spike are plotted in sequence with P, Q, R, S and T. The first spike in the reading is labelled P. The last spike in the reading is labelled T. In the case of abnormal heart activity, soft curves may be displayed rather than sharp, pointed spikes. In this case, find the peak of each curve and label accordingly.

4

Find the P wave. The P wave represents the beginning of atrial contraction.

5

Find the QRS complex. The QRS complex consists of three points and represents the ventricle changing its normal electrical charge immediately before ventricular contraction.

6

Find the T wave. The T wave is the last point on the complex and represents the ventricle returning to its normal electrically charged state.

7

Determine the heart rate. The heart rate is calculated by counting the number of 5mm squares between two succeeding QRS complexes, and dividing that number into 300.